Top New Vitamin Trends

Supplements now come in all shapes and sizes—so you have no excuse not to get the nutrients you need.

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The Telegram

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Posted Sep. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 30, 2013 at 11:23 PM

Posted Sep. 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 30, 2013 at 11:23 PM

Do you skip your daily vitamins because they're boring, burpy or just plain hard to swallow? The next time you’re browsing the supplement aisle, look out for these new offerings designed to make getting your daily nutrient requirements a snap.
Gummies. If you’ve been pilfering your kids’ stash, get your own tasty, chewable vitamins—everything from multivitamins and calcium to B complex and fish oil. The sweet treats are a plus for people who have trouble (or don’t enjoy) swallowing pills.
Melts. Like gummies, these quick-dissolving tablets are convenient (no water required!) and available in a variety of flavors and formulations. Note: While you might assume melt-in- your-mouth supplements get the good stuff into your system more quickly than traditional capsules, there’s currently no research that proves that’s the case.
Vegan. It’s easier than ever to find vegan vitamins for people who want (or need) to steer clear of all animal products. Look for non-gelatin capsules (made from plant cellulose), mushroom-derived vitamin D and algae-derived omega-3 oils.
RELATED: 10 Vitamins You Don't NeedBubbly. Powders or tablets that burst into a fizzy drink when dropped into water can be a refreshing way to take a multivitamin or individual nutrients like vitamin C or magnesium. Plus, liquid forms are often absorbed more quickly than capsules or tablets.
Super-absorbable. Some typically hard- to-absorb nutrients, such as coenzyme Q10, curcumin, pycnogenol and resveratrol now all have custom-engineered, more absorbable forms. Look for label descriptions such as micellized, lipophilic or ester, or for added ingredients like amino acids that enhance absorption.
Mini-pills. The “fishy burps” that are often an unfortunate side effect of omega-3 supplements may be a thing of the past, thanks to a breakthrough that concentrates high amounts of DHA and EPA into smaller pills. Look for “mini” omega-3 or fish oil capsules at drug and grocery stores.
Topical application. If you’re taking vitamins to help your skin or relieve pain, try a more direct route with new products formulated for topical absorption. Research shows that topical vitamin D can promote normal cell growth and reduce inflammation. Magnesium oil, a highly concentrated form of magnesium chloride, has been shown to relax blood vessels and muscles and improve blood flow for quick pain relief and muscle relaxation when applied to achy spots.
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